Team3S: 3000GT & Stealth   Monday, February 17 2003   Volume 02 : Number 083
 
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Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 17:27:19 -0500
From: "Alex Pedenko" <alex@kolosy.com>
Subject: Team3S: Steering issues
 
Hey all,
 
 I'm starting to get a little worried here... The steering on my car is getting rather funky of late. First - if I'm driving along a continuous curve (like on a highway), the car moves like I'm moving the steering wheel back and forth, while the wheel itself is perfectly still. Next on the list is the fact that I can be driving straight, and all of a sudden the steering wheel will want to turn one way or the other. If I keep it still, it'll drive the direction it's supposed to, but if I let go of the wheel, it'll jerk and pull hard. This just comes and goes... (and doesn't seem to be related to the road conditions)
 
That's coupled with the fact that there doesn't seem to be a correlation between the position of the steering wheel and the car driving straight. It'll just change from drive to drive - one time to drive straight the wheel will be centered, another time it'll be a little to the right, another time a little to the left, etc...
 
Any ideas?
TIA,
 
Alex
'95 VR4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 20:22:58 -0500
From: "Andre and Sylvia Cerri" <cerri@contractor.net>
Subject: Team3S: Tire pressure on 245/45zr17 non-turbo
 
Just moved to these on my 92 auto.
 
Nothing in the manual, anyone know what's best?
 
Thx
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 21:24:36 -0600
From: "Matt Jannusch" <mjannusch@attbi.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Steering issues
 
> The steering on my car is getting rather
> funky of late. First - if I'm driving along a
> continuous curve (like on a highway),
> the car moves like I'm moving the
> steering wheel back and forth, while the
> wheel itself is perfectly still.  <snip>
 
Check all the suspension linkages (struts, control arms, tie rods, ball joints, bushings, etc.).  Check the torque of your wheels as well (maybe some lugs have come loose?).
 
Not good.  Don't drive it until you find the problem and correct it.
 
- -Matt
'95 3000GT Spyder VR4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 19:46:56 -0800
From: "fastmax" <fastmax@cox.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Steering issues
 
Check the bearings at the top of the struts --- funny things happen when those are bad. Also check the camber adjustment bolts on the strut. Jack up the front of the car, grab the wheel a the 12 O'clock and 6 O'clock position and see if there is any movement in the wheel --- you might need a prybar to get enough force.
 
        Jim Berry
============================================
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Alex Pedenko" <alex@kolosy.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2003 2:27 PM
 
> Hey all,
>
> I'm starting to get a little worried here... The steering on my car is
> getting rather funky of late. First - if I'm driving along a
> continuous curve (like on a highway), the car moves like I'm moving
> the steering wheel back and forth, while the wheel itself is perfectly
> still. Next on the list is the fact that I can be driving straight,
> and all of a sudden the steering wheel will want to turn one way or
> the other. If I keep it still, it'll drive the direction it's supposed
> to, but if I let go of the wheel, it'll jerk and pull hard. This just
> comes and goes... (and doesn't seem to be related to the road
> conditions)
>
> That's coupled with the fact that there doesn't seem to be a
> correlation between the position of the steering wheel and the car
> driving straight. It'll just change from drive to drive - one time to
> drive straight the wheel will be centered, another time it'll be a
> little to the right, another time a little to the left, etc...
>
> Any ideas?
> TIA,
>
> Alex
> '95 VR4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 23:13:02 -0600
From: "William Jeffrey Crabtree" <wjcrabtree@earthlink.net>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Steering issues
 
I had similar issues with my steering on my '91 TT before my rebuild project.  After disassembling the rack and putting new seals into it, it was obvious to me that the issues that you are describing are LIKELY caused by the seals (and there are a BUNCH of them) in the steering rack starting to leak/fail.  It's really not that difficult to rebuild the rack rather than replace it with a new (and HIGHLY EXPENSIVE) or salvaged (unknown condition) one.  Mitsu sells a seal kit for the steering rack, unfortunately, I don't remember how much it was.  I would start with this step because it would eliminate the rack as the potential problem, then you can move on to the other issues that others have recommended.  The service manual describes the process for re-building the steering rack pretty well.
 
- -Jeff Crabtree
 St. Louis, MO
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 23:24:27 -0600
From: "cody" <overclck@satx.rr.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Tire pressure on 245/45zr17 non-turbo
 
Recommended is the same as stock - 32 front, 29 rear, according to Mitsu...  I would run 35/32, maybe 38/35 if you don't mind the slightly rougher ride...  Makes the steering a lil more crisp, and will give you slightly better mileage and treadwear...
 
- -Cody
 
- -----Original Message-----
From: Andre and Sylvia Cerri
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2003 7:23 PM
 
Just moved to these on my 92 auto.
 
Nothing in the manual, anyone know what's best?
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 04:13:12 -0800
From: "Bob Forrest" <bf@bobforrest.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Tire pressure on 245/45zr17 non-turbo
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Andre and Sylvia Cerri" <cerri@contractor.net>
> Just moved to these on my 92 auto.
> Nothing in the manual, anyone know what's best?
- ---------------------------->
 
You really have to judge what's best, based on 'what' tires, 'where' and 'how' you drive, and your own tests...  But here's a mini-primer for street tires:
 
There are guidelines suggested by car companies and tire companies, both of which are self-serving, and mostly bad information--  The car door on US-spec 3S models says to inflate to 32F/29R, and that's so the car feels soft and comfy like most Americans like.  Also, a softer suspension "jiggles" the car less (so things shake loose less frequently).  But that setting is neither the safest nor the best-handling inflation setting.  Same for what's on the side of the tire - the tire manufacturer's recommended inflation is usually around 32psi, but the setting they say is the "maximum inflation" (usually 36-39psi) is closer to what you want, since our cars are so heavy.  A lower inflation wears out a tire more quickly, because of increased rolling friction and the heat that accompanies it.  And it costs you in both handling performance and gas mileage as well.  Remember that the number one cause of tire failure is from underinflation...  Use the *lowest* inflation that will give you good handling, and no less!  And the only way you can determine that is by testing. You won't know how well your car can handle at 40psi until you try it!
 
[Remember Ford SUVs with Firestones?  Ford recognized that at the tire's 'standard recommended inflation' (32psi) their car was unstable, since it sat too high and rolled over a lot. So Ford recommended that owners inflate their tires 10 psi LESS, to lower the center of gravity.  Firestone, realizing the weight of the Ford SUV, recommended that to take all that weight owners should inflate the tires 10 psi MORE than stock, or 42psi - or else the tires would blow out.  The owners who listened to Ford had blowouts, and rollovers.  And many people died.]
 
Please remember that for every added stress your car's tires might encounter, you must ADD inflation!!!  If you are carrying an heavy load, or heavy people, your car will feel like it's wallowing.  The tires cannot support the load, and they must be pumped up.  Similarly (and you can find this in most owners' manuals, including ours) if you regularly run your car at highway speeds, you should inflate 4-6psi *more* than the 'recommended' inflation.  (Remember, too, that underinflated tires hydroplane much more.  Pump yours way up (+10
psi) if you do lots of wet driving through standing water...)
 
Since almost all of us drive on highways, that means that cold inflation should be 36F/33R, at the very minimum.  For those of us in the Western US, Europe and anywhere that you find high-speed roadways, even higher inflations are appropriate.  (We have 70mph limits in CA - most people drive at 90 and pass at over 100).  This is also true for those of us who run street tires at the track.  By testing my street tires, I found my best inflation for my Nittos was 40F/34R around town, 43F/37R at the track; with my Bridgestones, I run 42F/36R in town and 46F/40R at the track.  My race tires, Toyo Proxes RA-1's have more rigid walls than street tires, and I only run them at 42F/36R at the track, determined by testing and by pyrometer; on the street, I keep them at 36F/30R.  But each tire/wheel combo is different, and you should experiment with what "feels" best to you.  {Please note that Andre and I drive FWD models, where a 6psi Front-to-Rear spread is appropriate.  For AWD, a 4 psi difference is suggested.}
 
Now we don't want a discussion that goes on for days about this, *especially* from the AWD folks.  Those of us who have the underpowered FWD models have to squeeze every bit of efficiency and speed that's possible from our cars. Those of you turbo types whom have plenty of power, won't even *know* that your car can handle even better at an optimum inflation.  Your cars are forgiving in steering because of AWD, and you can overpower even an underinflated tire with brute torque.  So unless you have *tried* and *decided* (based on your own testing) that something else works better, let's not get into a few dozen "me too" replies, either "for" or "against" this post--  this is what works for *these* tires which I've used on *my* lowered FWD with suspension mods--  and I "drive it like I stole it" wherever I am. If you drive like a granny, you will probably be happiest at 32/29.  And you'll never know the difference anyway.  :-)
 
Best,
Forrest
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 20:55:58 +0000
From: "gareth hannah" <alcoholika_02@hotmail.com>
Subject: Team3S: Boost and ARC-2 problems!
 
Hi all!
just a few questions! I have a 92 rt/tt and I had installed a Greddy
profec-b , and my air/fuel, at wot, begins to get jittery and flutters
between stoich and rich, and bogs heavily!! and I do mean BOGG! at 14.5
psi. and fuel pressure around 55 or so. well I bought a ARC-2 hopefully
trying to fix the problem of running lean, cause that's what I think its
doing! and I had installed it correctly and had the settings correctly on
the controller, and I even called GT Pro to make sure I did everything
right. well my car has never started with the ARC on. Not even an idle. I
tried asking Gtpro what might be wrong and they told me that they've never
heard or a car not starting with it on. I'm now just asking the list to see
if anyone has any ideas on why it might be doing this! cause I cant really
solve one problem unless I can do a process of elimination. I also have a
supra fuel pump. Do you think the voltage coming from the pump might be too
low? I'm all out of ideas, or it might even be my ecu. dunno, but any help is
grateful!!
Thanx
gareth
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 16:53:57 -0500
From: "Planet" <planet.j@sympatico.ca>
Subject: Team3S: Fixing paint chipping.
 
I was wondering if someone could tell me how to fix paint chipping, rusting etc, and maybe some products to use. Previous owner of my car had it towed once, using straps......so the bumper flexed in when it was lifted and the paint chipped off. I have quite a large section on the back without paint. I was wondering how I could make this look better or fix it at LOW cost. I have almost no money to do this but getting tired of looking at it. Also I noticed lots of paint chips on the hood and front from rocks.
 
Any tips / ideas.
 
Thanks
Jay
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 14:01:16 -0800
From: "Bob Forrest" <bf@bobforrest.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Boost and ARC-2 problems!
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "gareth hannah" <alcoholika_02@hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 12:55 PM
 
> Hi all!
> just a few questions! ---snip--- Do you think the voltage coming from
> the pump might be too low? I'm all out of ideas, or it might even be
> my ecu. dunno, but any help is grateful!! Thanx gareth
- ----------------------->
 
Here's the first thing to eliminate--  Have you checked your battery lately? Almost all diagnoses for erratic behavior in all the manuals suggest that you first make sure you have a strong, full battery, and that you check all your connections for corrosion, or loose wires, etc...
 
There are also all kinds of diagrams & info in the STIM (Stealth Technical Information Manual) about diagnostics...  It's for the '91 Stealth, but it applies to all 1st gen 3S, '91-'93...  Find it in the Team3S FAQ Pages under Basics - Reference...
 
Good luck!
Forrest
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 23:05:34 +0100
From: "Roger Gerl" <roger.gerl@bluewin.ch>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Boost and ARC-2 problems!
 
You probably have installed the ARC wrong, like connecting the wrong wires. Setting the ARCII to -2 at the Low should at least fire her up. Fix first the one thing before the other.
 
Roger G.
93' & 96'3000GT TT
www.rtec.ch
 
> Hi all!
> just a few questions! I have a 92 rt/tt and I had installed a Greddy
> profec-b , and my air/fuel, at wot, begins to get jittery and flutters
> between stoich and rich, and bogs heavily!! and I do mean BOGG! at
> 14.5 psi. and fuel pressure around 55 or so. well I bought a ARC-2
> hopefully trying to fix the problem of running lean, cause that's what
> I think its doing! and I had installed it correctly and had the
> settings correctly on the controller, and I even called GT Pro to make
> sure I did everything right. well my car has never started with the
> ARC on. Not even an idle. I tried asking Gtpro what might be wrong and
> they told me that they've never heard or a car not starting with it
> on. I'm now just asking the list to see if anyone has any ideas on why
> it might be doing this! cause I cant really solve one problem unless I
> can do a process of elimination. I also have a supra fuel pump. Do you
> think the voltage coming from the pump might be too low? I'm all out
> of ideas, or it might even be my ecu. dunno, but any help is
> grateful!!
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 14:11:53 -0800
From: "Bob Forrest" <bf@bobforrest.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Fixing paint chipping.
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Planet" <planet.j@sympatico.ca>
 
> I was wondering if someone could tell me how to fix paint chipping,
> rusting
etc, and maybe some products to use. Previous owner of my car had it towed once, using straps......so the bumper flexed in when it was lifted and the paint chipped off. I have quite a large section on the back without paint. I was wondering how I could make this look better or fix it at LOW cost. I have almost no money to do this but getting tired of looking at it. Also I noticed lots of paint chips on the hood and front from rocks.
> Any tips / ideas.
> Thanks
> Jay
- ------------------------>
 
There's an entire "how-to" section about paint chip repairs in the Team3S FAQ Pages.  Look in the section on "Cosmetics".  www.Team3S.com/FAQ.htm
 
- --Forrest
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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End of Team3S: 3000GT & Stealth V2 #83
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